It’s just a trickle but the king of fruits has made an entry into the market.
Alphonsos have started arriving in the wholesale Vashi market and are priced at a premium.
Four hundreds boxes of Alphonso, comprising about five dozens in each box, arrived in the wholesale market on Thursday.
“The market has been getting around 300 boxes daily for the past few days. The quality of the fruit is pretty good,” said Balasaheb Bhende, a fruit wholesaler.
Bhende said that in the retail market, there is always a huge demand for the first arrivals and hence they are sold at a premium.
“A box of Alphonsos is being sold to the retailers for a price ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000, depending on the quality of mangoes,” he added.
The price of one dozen of Alphonso in the wholesale market is now Rs 500.
Ashok Hande, another wholesale dealer, said: “The retailer also has to cover for the wastages and transport. Hence, the Alphonso that is sold in the wholesale market at Rs 500 a dozen is priced at over Rs 1,000 a dozen in the retail market.”
Stating that the arrivals will increase, Hande said: “Alphonsos come from North (Devgad), central (Ratnagiri) and southern Konkan (Singhudurg). Right now, we are getting the Sindhudurg Alphonsos. By March 15, Alphonsos from the entire Konkan belt will start arriving.”
{{/usCountry}}Stating that the arrivals will increase, Hande said: “Alphonsos come from North (Devgad), central (Ratnagiri) and southern Konkan (Singhudurg). Right now, we are getting the Sindhudurg Alphonsos. By March 15, Alphonsos from the entire Konkan belt will start arriving.”
{{/usCountry}}In the peak season in April, almost a lakh Alphonso boxes arrive in the market daily.